Die Gelofte:’n Musiekblyspel, a musical by Johan Vorster and written by acclaimed scriptwriter Jannes Erasmus, follows the events leading up to the day of the covenant (vow) during the Battle of Blood River.
When Aimee and Ali, two high school drama students, discover letters in the basement of the theatre, the story of Sarel Cilliers and the Voortrekkers’ journey across the Drakensberg to the promised land unfolds; a love story between two young people who seem to have an impossible happy ending.
It is a historical piece, with a modern approach, that reveals something about history, but also brings hope and teaches life lessons.
Aside from Erasmus, who is also the director, the music and lyrics were created by Vorster and Jacomien de Wet of Inhoud Huis Musiek, while Francois Lessing is in charge of orchestration and music direction.
“When you see the musical, you will understand why it is important to us to tell this story,” said Erasmus.
“Parallels are drawn that are still relevant today – land, family ties and the gruesome reality of life.
“I have a great responsibility to sit in the director’s chair with humanity and compassion. History cannot be rewritten, but it can be approached from a different perspective,” he said.
“Writing this musical has changed our lives. We initially thought that the story was only a part of our history, but it is so much more.
“We believe that it will touch the lives of every person who watches it. There was hope for us in 1838 and there is still hope for us today,” said De Wet and Vorster.
To make things even more exciting, the production also boasts a star-studded cast, including Nadia Beukes, Bernice West, Eddie de Jager, Zöricke Snyman, Ilán van Staden and more.
Vorster, a renowned songwriter and producer of “De la Rey”, “Pa en Seun”, “Eendag as ons Groot is”, “Swart Koffie”, “Skepe”, “Nonna”, “Net voor die Storm kom”, and many more, is returning to the stage after a decade of working behind the scenes. He used to be part of the SAMA award-winning group, Eden.
Beukes, a well-known entertainer, is looking forward to being back on stage after two years of lockdown.
“The creative team behind this piece is extremely talented and the music is beautiful. I truly believe that this play will touch people’s hearts. It is also heart-warming to see that AfriForum Theatre’s support of the arts and hopefully this is just the beginning of big things to come,” she said.
West, a fan favourite, shares Beukes’ enthusiasm and is very excited to be part of this project.
“I look forward to being on stage and to seeing people’s response to the unique way this story is told.”
AfriForum Theatre celebrated its first birthday in March and this production promises to set the standard for the coming year.
“At AfriForum Theatre, we not only create a platform for the Afrikaans arts, but we also bring the Afrikaans community together,” said theatre manager, Carien Bloem.
“This play is an important part of our heritage that needs to be retold and commemorated. It has been more than a decade since there was a historical play of this kind in local theatres. We look forward to welcoming it to our stage.”
The play is an old tale with a modern twist. A wartime love story about an outsider who had no chance of achieving victory on his own.
The music is current and authentic and will appeal to anyone who enjoyed Disney’s Aladdin or The Greatest Showman.
This family-oriented production will take you on an emotional roller coaster and will stay with you long after the final curtain call.
The show will be running from May 6 to the 29th at the AfriForum Theatre in Pretoria.
Four lucky Rekord readers stand a chance to win tickets to see some of our top stars on the stage.
Enter with KEYWORD: Die Gelofte
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